Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam Review

The Holiday Inn Dar es Salaam is just about 4 blocks away from the Hyatt Dar es Salaam. It’s in a great location, right in the middle of downtown, at the edge of Little India.

However, the whole area gets too shady to walk around at night, though it’s safe during the day.

Check-in was friendly and given that the reservation system was down, it was very quick. The agent had a printout for that day’s checking in and she saw me there. A great part of several hotels in Africa is that check-in and out comes with a smile and very relaxed procedures.

My room was ready at 2PM and it wasn’t a bad one. Think an airport Holiday Inn in the US – everything works but is old and creaky. I bet the hotel isn’t really old though, just that it aged quickly.

The AC was strong and quiet and the internet worked well at 1 Mbit.

I proceeded to the small but well-equipped gym and spent some time there. The pool and sun deck are a joke though – even my seven-year olds would not be able to swim in that bathtub.

The rooftop bar makes for a great way to see the sunset. It comes complete with a shisha section and a dance floor. I left at 8PM and when I went back to peek in at 9.30PM, the place was packed with non-hotel guests drinking and smoking, so it’s a popular spot.

I was surprised to hear that my points rate would qualify for a free breakfast – but hey, I’m not saying no to that! The items were just of OK quality – better than the DoubleTree Zanzibar, but several levels off what I just experienced at the Hyatt Regency in Dar es Salaam.

The staff including the concierge were super-friendly and fluent in English and the driver that I chose for my two drives was knowledgeable, courteous and safe as well.

All in all, this is a decent hotel. It’s expensive but there is no luxury involved. I used 15,000 IHG Rewards points and found that a good deal in town.